Family Separation

One of the biggest pitfalls of Army life, is the seperation from your family. Its rare that your soldier would be stationed in the same state as your family, let alone with in a few hours drive. We are lucky to see our loved ones once a year. I would venture to say its an accepted norm among military living.

When we do see them, its usually for something unexpected or a last minute surprise.
There are close members of my own family, I may go years without seeing. With my youngest's upcoming ballet recital, my parents made the 8 hour journey.
I love my family, but after 2 days in military quarters, with 3 children, my parents 2 dogs, and my parents. You start to realize the value of valium.

You must understand my familial background to fully appreciate this statement. My parents were not pet lovers when I was growing up, to say the least. If we did have a pet, they had a nasty habit of disappearing. We didn't have the luxury of being told, "they went to live on a farm". Simply because, we lived on a farm, and therapy was expensive.
So to see my parents today, with their 2 maltese, hyperactive cottonball puppies toting them around, and taking them to little puppy day spa's, seems a bit odd.

First we start with Kiki. She's the oldest of the two. Not completely obnoxious, but I have made it my life's mission to color her white hair, purple. My father seems very offended by this quest, so I have agreed to use Kool-aid with the thought it may not be permanent. Still a no go. The perks of being involved with the military, however, means a dedication to developing my recon skills. After all, they have to sleep sometime.
Then we move to Coco. She's the baby. As psychotic as she is small, I can't help but think she'd be considered a delicacy in some countries. I have a stack of one rate APO shipping boxes, and I think I can have her in Korea before they notice she's missing.
Don't get me wrong. I love dogs. But the wake up calls at 3, 4, 5 and 6 am, seem to be taking its toll on my attitude. I have to admit the idea of a puppy catapult has crossed my mind.
Apparently, since all the children have left home, and my parents are nearing retirement, they have begun to care for these hell hounds to remove the Empty Nest feeling. As demon dog #2 was barking this morning, at whatever imaginary being was tormenting it, I overhear my mom. COCO, USE YOUR INSIDE VOICE!
This statement was only outdone, by my fathers. "Kiki, do you think its going to start raining?"
I find myself thinking...I hope my husband gets promoted soon. We will need the pay raise, for my parents new home, in Bellvue Mental Hospital. As it stands now, I have promised that, when it comes time, I will not send them to "live on the farm", but will put them in the best nursing home, foodstamps can afford.